n8 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



Gull, Black-headed. The family of Larincz Gulls is a large one, and 

 consists of several species. This one, however, is not likely to be confused 

 with any but the Common Gull and the Kittiwake (the notes of each should 

 therefore be compared). The Black-headed Gull is a common resident, yet 

 the whole species is migratory ; the gulls which appear in London in the winter 

 are of this species, though the so-called black colour of the head is absent till the 

 next spring. 



The general colour is : on the back, pearl-grey ; wings same, but black 

 ends to the outer primaries, and a broad edge of white (a distinguishing mark). 

 The rest white. In the breeding season the dark coffee-brown plumage of the 

 head appears. The bird may be always identified by its blood-red legs and 

 beak. It nests in colonies on the ground, in marsh land or near lakes, sometimes 

 on sandhills near the sea, using for material such grass or reeds as abound 

 in the neighbourhood. Scoulton Mere, on the Norfolk Broads, is a famous 

 nesting site. The eggs (three) have shades of stone colour, varying from buff 

 to green, with dark brown blotches and spots. 



The birds are often seen on ploughed land close to the sea, and they are 

 of the utmost value to the farmer, as their staple food consists of worms and 

 insects especially crane-flies and wire-worms. 



The note is a kind of laughing call. 



Gull, Common. Though labelled " common," this species does not breed 

 in England, but in Scotland and Ireland. It is a familiar winter visitor to 

 England and Wales. It is identified by its size (18 inches), its pearl-grey back, 

 and yellowish green beak and legs. It chooses low grassy islands, grass-grown 

 cliffs, and loch sides for its nests often found in colonies substantially built 

 of heather, seaweed, reeds, etc. Three eggs form the usual clutch. These are 

 a broader oval than the Black-headed Gull's, the ground colour varying from 

 buff to olive, blotched and spotted darker. The species eats " everything " 

 worms, insects, fish, garbage, etc. Its call-note is a sound like " Yak," and it 

 possesses a laughing cry like " Luka-luka-luka." 



Hawk, Sparrow. In spite of its enemies the gamekeepers, this is one of the 

 commonest of our " hawks," and may be seen about any of our wooded districts. 

 It may be recognized by its relatively short wings, long tail, and long legs. 

 The female is larger (15 inches) than the male (13 inches). The general colour 

 is slate-grey ; there are three or four bars of darker colour across the tail ; the 

 under parts whitish, with delicate ripples of grey ; and there is a noticeable 

 touch of rufous or chestnut colour about the head and face. 



The bird flies close to the ground when hunting ; but whilst the female sits, 

 the male often soars to a great height above the nest, uttering a silvery cry, 

 " Kick, kick, kick." The nest is a neat and substantial one of twigs, bark, 

 etc., placed on the old nest of some other bird Crow or Wood Pigeon. The eggs 

 (four to six) are white, with bold blotches of reddish or dark brown. The bird 

 feeds on young rabbits, rats, mice, small birds, and frogs ; and though it some- 

 times does harm to young game (in which case there is nothing for it but to 



